Abstract
BackgroundNon-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) multi-morbidity is becoming one of the public health problems in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of NCCDs and multi-morbidity among adult patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH).MethodsBetween January and February 2016, a cross-sectional study was carried out among patients aged ⩾ 18 years attending the outpatient department of the hospital. Trained nurses interviewed patients and reviewed medical records. Multi-morbidity was defined as the coexistence of two or more NCCDs in an individual.ResultsTwo hundred twenty seven (55.2%) of the respondents had at least one of the NCCDs and 73 (17.8%) of them had multi-morbidity. The commonest diseases that affected the patients were diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The risk of having NCCDs was highest among patients aged above 44 years (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.7, 95% CI 1.5–4.8). Non educated patients (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.0–2.7) and patients with high household income (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.5) and patients with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 25 (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.7) had higher odds of having NCCDs. Highest odds of multi-morbidity was observed among patients aged above 44 years (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI 2.2–8.8).ConclusionThe prevalence of NCCDs and multi-morbidity among the study population was high. Identifying and addressing modifiable risk factors; screening, treatment and follow-up of patients with NCCDs could help in reducing the burden of NCCDs multi-morbidity and its effect.
Highlights
Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) multi-morbidity is becoming one of the public health problems in Ethiopia
Exchange rate 1 USD to 21.3673 Ethiopian Birr NCCDs non-communicable chronic diseases, COR crude odds ratio, AOR adjusted odds ratio, 95% CI 95% confidence interval, BMI body mass index chronic arthritis, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common diseases affected the study participants in our study
We suggest the importance of taking actions targeted on unhealthy behaviors like controlling BMI to prevent NCCDs
Summary
Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) multi-morbidity is becoming one of the public health problems in Ethiopia. Every year, non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) cause more than 35 million deaths [1]. 80% deaths occur in low and middle income countries including Ethiopia [1, 2]. The diseases affect any organ of the body and have immense consequence on population health [3]. Sometimes they are considered as communicable at the risk factor level [4] and their effect increases in a multi-morbid situation. In Ethiopia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are among the leading causes of outpatient visits [2].
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